Generalized version of the characteristic number of two simultaneous Pell's equations (Q2477849)

Given the integers \(D,N\), where \(D\) is positive and not a perfect square, it is a well known classical fact that all integer solutions \((U,V)\) of the equation \(U^2-DV^2=N\) are obtained by means of the relation \(U_n+V_n\sqrt{D}=(u+v\sqrt{D})(a+b\sqrt{D})^n\), where \((a,b)\) is the fundamental solution of the Pell equation \(x^2-Dy^2=1\), while \((u,v)\) satisfies \(u^2-Dv^2=N\) and runs through a finite set. For each such \((u,v)\) we thus obtain a class of solutions \((U,V)\) to \(U^2-DV^2=N\). Now consider two integers \(g,h\), where \(g\) is positive and not a perfect square and consider the system of equations \[ U^2-DV^2=N,\quad Z^2-gV^2=h. \tag{1} \] Fix the class of solutions to the first equation and assume that, for some integer \(i\), there exists an integer \(Z\) such that \((Z,V_i)\) is a solution to the second equation. Assume that, for an appropriate positive integer \(m\) one can, by some method, prove that the only integer \(n\) such that (i) \(n\equiv i\pmod m\) and (ii) there exists an integer \(Z\) satisfying \(Z^2-gV_n^2=h\), is \(n=i\). Then one can explicitly solve the above system of equations. The purpose of this paper is to suggest such a method. The method makes use only of elementary number theory and a crucial role is played by the number \(gU_i^2-Dh\) (with \(i\) same as that a few lines above) which is called characteristic number of the system (1) (depending on \(i\), of course). It is not guaranteed that the proposed method works; nevertheless it is interesting to note that, sometimes, this method solves in an elementary way systems of type (1) which, otherwise, would require considerably more advanced tools for their solution. An example of system (1) solved in detail in this way is that in which \((D,N,g,h)=(11,5,17,-32)\).